Since Saturday, internet users are not able to access adult websites and it seems as if the Government of India has banned them. Whenever they are trying to access such websites; they are getting a blank screen. In fact, it’s the hottest topic being discussed on every social platform, however there is nothing said by the government in this context.
Last year also the government banned 32 websites which included Dailymotion, Github and Vimeo. The action was taken under Section 69A of the IT Act, the ban was removed after a month but some websites were kept in the list of block sites.
We are going to take a look at those things which are banned in India:
1. Ban On Beef
This year, Devendra Fadnavis led Maharashtra government banned the killing of bulls and bullocks by reintroducing the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill which was introduced 19 years ago for the first time. As per the new law, there is provision for 5 years of jail or Rs.10000, if found with beef. The CM Devendra Fadnavis expressed his gratitude for the President Pranab Mukherjee for signing the bill with a tweet “Our dream of ban on cow slaughter becomes a reality now.”
2. Ban On Books
There are books also who face the wrath of ban; one of them is Wendy Doniger’s The Hindus: An Alternative History. Its publisher Penguin House called back the book’s copies from the market after the order given by Delhi High Court. The order was given by the court on the basis of the appeal made by some scholars who cited that some parts of the book contain wrong facts and misrepresent the faith’s traditions. The publisher made an agreement with the applicants that it will call back all the books and tear down all of them in six months.
3. Non-Government Organizations
Just few days back, the PM Narendra Modi led BJP cracked down on 4470 NGOs by suspending their licenses.
The government had confrontation with Green Peace International, the Ministry of Home Affairs sealed its funds, the NGO wasn’t able to accept funds from foreign as its license was suspended and one of its activists Priya Pillai was barred from travelling to foreign countries. However, the NGO got relief from Delhi High Court as it was allowed to use the money deposited in its saving account and the money received from Indian donors.
4. Ban On Maggi
Maggi Instant Noodles, a product of Nestle has been banned by the Central Food Authority, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), after the test on its samples failed. The findings revealed that the level of Lead and MSG was very high than the limit allowed. Nestle called back Maggi from the market and destroyed it. In its 17 years of operations, this was the first time it suffered losses.
5. Ban On Films And Documentaries
Leslee Udwin’s documentary on December 16 rape incident was banned in India, after some clips of the documentary were shown on TV. The Interview of Mukesh Singh, one of the accused of the heinous crime, was the main reason for the anger generated among the Indian society. The accused had no regret for what he had done and his opinion and comments about the women were also shameful. BBC aired the documentary internationally.
One more foreign movie which did not saw the Indian cinema halls was Fifty Shades of Grey as it was not passed by the Censor board; however some scenes were removed to release in India. Government of India didn’t ban it officially but for getting released it needed Censor Board’s certificate which was not issued to it.
